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attitude toward foreigners at Zaventem commune
Hello --
I may be moving to rent a home in Zaventem, moving from Wezembeek-Oppem, which is extraordinarily foreigner-friendly. We speak French and English and I've heard (including from Flemings) that Zaventem commune authorities are quite hostile and unfriendly to non-Dutch-speakers. Has anyone had experience registering there? Thank you.
Why not go for a Walloon commune? Mine is happy to speak Fench and Nederlands and even English! If your languages are French and English -- then the best bet may be a Walloon commune
I live in commune. Always need to take a flemish speaker with me to commune.
If you can understand some Dutch you are fine. They will listen to you in English and French (prefer English) but yes they will only respond in Dutch.
I've dealt with three different people during the last 6 months. Two of them insisted on speaking Dutch but the third (a young lady) chose to speak to me in English although there's this sign in several languages saying that they only speak Dutch.
Does anyone know any other place in the world where staff are forbidden by law to speak in other than their national language?
@Mimi
The law regarding the use of language was repealed in the 1930s.
From then on, the Dutch-speaking majority were allowed to use their own language to conduct official business in Flemish communes rather than having to use French and universities in Flanders were allowed to use Dutch as a language of instruction.
The present day rules laid down by some Flemish communes are a spin-off from this historical anomaly and are targeted not at 'foreigners' but at French-speaking Belgians who have learned Dutch in school but don't actually think that they should have to use it even when they choose to move to Flanders.
Kassiestamper -- my commune is in the walloon region -- The commune speaks French, Nederlands and some even English -- They do not insist on French only -- If you ring them -- the menu choice is 1 for french and 2 for Nederlands.
I think there would be less hassle for all if the national languages were covered in all communes
(In teh last few years there has been a big influx of people from teh flemish parts and also from Holland - many of whom do not use French - hence posts at our commune when people retire demand perfect Nederlands as well as French)
My son has recently returned to Belgium (Zaventem) and admittedly he did take along a Flemish neighbour on his first visit for his ID card just in case and on that occasion did need her but from then on successive visits he always found a young girl who was perfectly content to speak English with him!
